Martin leads the batting blast as Wheato claim fine win

PUBLISHED: 11:42 03 June 2008 | UPDATED: 13:18 06 May 2010

KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA

Division Three Wheathampstead 159-10 (51.1) Stevenage II 83-10 (38.0) WHEATHAMPSTEAD bounced back to winning ways at Stevenage on Saturday with a fine performance in Division Three. A strong performance at Ditchmore Lane saw the village outfit

WHEATHAMPSTEAD bounced back to winning ways at Stevenage on Saturday with a fine performance in Division Three.

A strong performance at Ditchmore Lane saw the village outfit bag all 30 points and move to second position in the table.

After losing the toss, Wheato were put in to bat and lost an early wicket as Hashmi played on in the fourth over.

The home side claimed another wicket in the ninth over but solid batting from Chris Martin (52), Nick Weaver (16) and Zaf Iqbal (38) steadied the ship and pushed the score on.

Stevenage stuck to their task claiming three run outs and a five wicket haul for spinner B. Ganji, who ended with figures of 12.1-0-32-5.

A useful contribution from the tail end meant Wheato finished on 159 all out. Martin was clearly the pick of the batsmen as he notched his second half century of the campaign.

With a good total to defend on a pitch that was offering assistance, the Wheathampstead bowling attack was confident and openers Nick Martin and Dave Tree immediately caused problems.

After 10 overs, the home side were struggling on 29 for 4 and Wheato were on the charge. There was no letting up from the visitors and the pressure of tight bowling and smart fielding eventually told as Stevenage were bowled out for 83. Opening bat R. Hann offered the only notable resistance, scoring 39 of the home side's runs. Tree picked up three wickets despite bowling with a broken finger. After the match an excited Adam Robbins, who returned to the side after a week out, said: "It is great to be playing good cricket with good friends. I hope we can continue to perform like this and have fun right up until the end of the season.